Pass: 3,193 / 91.7% Yes votes ...... 290 / 8.3% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

In recent months the California Legislature changed the State's Primary Election Date from June to February. Because it is recognized that a consolidated election, in which the City's Regular Municipal Election is consolidated with a State election, brings a higher voter turnout, and also provides significant cost savings, the City Council felt that it was prudent to move the City's General Election Date to the same date as the new State Primary Election Date. In fact, the City electorate voted some years ago to move its stand-alone Regular Municipal Election date from February to March when the State Legislature decided to have its primary election in March. However, subsequently, the State Legislature moved that election date to June, and now has moved it again to February.

The change of date to February will not be effective until the February, 2010 Regular Municipal Election. In the meantime, if the State Legislature again determines to move the State Primary Election to a different date, Piedmont would again be left with a stand-alone election with lower voter turnout and higher election costs.

George S. Peyton, Jr.

City Attorney

Date: Monday, February 11 Time: 7:30 PM Location:Piedmont Community Center

A Resolution of the Piedmont City Council

to Amend Section 8.01 of the Piedmont City Charter to

Change the Date of the Regular Municipal Election

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 8.01 of the Piedmont City Charter, general municipal elections have been held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of March of even numbered years; and

WHEREAS, the selection of that date was intended to consolidate Piedmont elections with other statewide matters, reduce costs and increase voter turnout; and

WHEREAS, the California State Legislature has changed its election date on several occasions, causing the City of Piedmont to hold a stand alone election at increased costs; and

WHEREAS, the Piedmont City Council wishes to establish an election date which will reduce costs and increase voter turnout at municipal elections;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Section 8.01 of the Piedmont City Charter shall be amended to read as follows, to be effective with the General Municipal Election occurring in 2010.

"SECTION 8.01 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

General Municipal elections for the election of officers and for such other purposes as the City Council may proscribe, shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of February in even numbered years."

RESOLVED FURTHER, that in accordance with Section 9.07 of the Piedmont City Charter governing Charter Amendments, the following questions shall be placed before the voters of Piedmont at the General Municipal Election on March 4, 2008, and such Charter Amendment shall not become effective unless approved by a majority of the qualified voters at such election;

"Shall Section 8.01 of the Piedmont City Charter be amended to change the City's general municipal election date to the first Tuesday after the first Monday of February of even numbered years as more fully set forth in Resolution 87-07 of the Piedmont City Council on file with the Piedmont City Clerk?"